This was to be the last entry before I leave tomorrow.

I have been confident the bike was ready for a week now, and have kept going over it in my mind throught the week trying to think of anything I have missed, but there has been nothing. I checked it on Wednesday and everything seemed fine. So I planned to get the last few things I need today (including tent pegs!), bring the bike over from it's residence, pack, and spend a leisurely day tomorrow chilling out and making my way to Plymouth for the night ferry early in the evening.

You will have guessed by now something isn't right (there's a clue in the title). I went to collect the bike this afternoon and the rear tyre was flat. Now so disastrous you might think but it isn't entirely straightforward to fix. By the time I had the wheel off, and took it to the nearest tyre place,everywhere was closing for the day, and few will be open tomorrow. So here I am with part a day left and minus a wheel. I could see the whole of my trip, my dream dissolving before me. Both places I went to basically told me I'm stuffed. The tyres (same as 2CV car tyres) have become rarities, and no one can even start sourcing one until Monday. I may be able to get away with just an inner tube, but that may be as difficult to get hold of on a Sunday in Cornwall.

I pumped the tyre up and air hisses out 3 small incisions roughly equally spaced on the outside wall, each about the size of the tip of an electricians screwdriver. I can't help but be suspicious of foul play...

Right now I am absolutely gutted, almost too much to write this.

So..I have to look at some options.

It is not impossible that, with determination and a lucky break or two, I might just find someone who can fix it tomorrow and still be on my way by the evening. Even if it takes until Monday or Tuesday I can change the ferry ticket and go a bit later. Or I give in gracefully and take the car to France instead of the bike, so at least I get away in time to meet up with my friends next weekend.

I will give it my best shot.

If no more blog entries appear over the next couple of days, assume I just made it by the skin of my teeth, and had no time to tell the outcome, or that I didn't and I am in a complete state of utter dejection!

On that happy note I shall go.

If anyone knows of a source of 2CV tyres/inner tubes within easy reach of Truro Falmouth tomorrow, - do let me know...